Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-04-20
o the rescue, said, in her quiet 7ay, Per

Ohio Peralval conducted her - the pi7ut
where Iona felt that sho should reap h.
Grst benefit 10 Ohio Percirsl's eyes. E
was passionately fond Of music. and Mi'
Ross played and sang wish soul and spiri
and it was a stole indeed that would fail
be impressed thereby.
"You. sing beautifully, Miss Ross" b
said, Elen ahe arose to leave the instrr
ment. d
Thank you;' She replied, quietly.
Shs YVES kind and modest enough not t
show. her triumph over Miss Dunton, VIII
did not make any remarks whatever, bu
seeing that her hold was weakening drew
slip of paper from her pocket that she ha,
clipped from some weekly edition, and beg
| ged leave . r9ad an article She know he
power lay II b. econ pIishment of readiu.
| SID Freatiog -T7il, and she meant to make
If Eel. sg7ir o. Ohio Percival. She was ~
g0i.g 70 ct this stately, haughty-lookinr
hiss Ross step in betTeen her and Tic mai
sfo llGd 50 nearly won after infinite trou bl
aTd PAIRS.
1t vas = touching temperance article. j,
she reac Il with charming etIacf. and cl7'1e
ed triumpha7tly at Miss Ross whaa lir. For
ci7al transferred all Of his sttention II .e,
again Iona returned her lcck With oaa o.
silent contempt. Sho WAS more shan -ever
determined to win, although sho LOT ahen
have things all their own way during tf
remainder Of the evening.
The next time she met Miss Duntor arG
His. BridgeWater tho latter exclaimed
81 You seem to bo Z favorito Of Mr. PEREZ
val'sf''
"Do I?'
81 thought SO the other eFenine.'
sEI r-oc
Mr Percival since I was child, koTcvcr.
Miss Ross, let us 90 out fof a walk. .
Miss Dunton said.
Iona complied with her request at once
never dreaming that the fascinating reader
meautt to meet Ohio Peroival in this walk.
either by fair means or foul.
She adroitly led Miss Ross by the Perci
val mansion, saying, with seeming careless
ness, "What handsome residence Mr..
Percival has. wonder he doesn't marry"
Perhaps he will como time Iona re-
turned.
81 shouldn't wonder" Miss Dunton as.
sented, with q sweet smile,
Iona saw it; nothing about this woman
ever escaped her eyes. She said, "For my
part, | don't see what there is so wonder
fully attractive about Ohio Percival. |
think women, especially single women, act
Ike fools over him. If was goose enough
to fall in love with him he never should
know it,
"Why ?'
81 wouldn't crafty his inordinate sslf-
love enough for that
Iona spoke vehemently, and tho last son
tence with extreme defiance. She had dis
covered that some one was among tho grare-
vim ON tI,N< kl,o,, - y r a. =
whoever it was must have heard her frst
words. She might as well carry tho rest
out boldly, even if the saying lost all her
chance of Otho Perci7al. Hescame forward
a moment later with q basket of grapes in
his hand, and she knew If, too. Sire had
known it from the first. and purpc5ely led
her companion on to talk.
"Good-afternoon, ladies' Mr. PercivRl
said, smiling. 81 am glad to sae you look
ing SO well to-day, Miss Dunton.5
Not word further to Iona, only q curious
glance in her direction, as though he won
dered what manner Of woman she was, any
way, and then said, "Have sona cranes,
ladies'? have just been picking them''
20 what lovely fruit {" Miss Dunton
cried, in an ecstasy of delight, as sha accept
ed the perfect punches; but Iona said, short
ly,f'No, thank you; com care fer rrapes :"
Perhaps you wouldn't accept them from
me if you did," was the pointed renly, as he
looked bar straight III the eyes.
He had heard her, then, and took this
early opportunity to remind her Of it. She
bowed coldly and turned away. Presently
The conversation driftsd around TO suit Miss
Danton, who said, with doleful sight, ~
have been utterly wretched to-day. No
sunshine, all gray and cloudy, just like my
life"
Before Mr.. Peroival could reply Iona ox-
claimed, quickly, "You must mako your
OWN sunshine, Miss Dunton You will find
It much better than waiting for somebody
else to make it."
bliss Duntou did neG answer, and Mr..
Perciyal said, "SIiss Ross says you must
make your own sunshine.n
Miss Dunton looked as though sho did
not appreciate what Miss Ross said, but
that yo1ng lady continued "CoHe, Miss
Dunton, we really must return Good AZ
ternoon, Mr.. Percival.'
Mr.. PerciVal lifted his hat and bowed
graVcly, saying, in a low voice, to Miss
Dunton that he was sorry she was depress-
I'd in spirits. He would see her again.
Then he stood and watched the two ladies
az they walked away, Iona tall, stately and
independent in every movement; Miss Dun
ton small, graceful and rather tirnid for one
who spoke in public, he thought. How was
be to know that she was playing q desperate
game, and his hand and homo her stake?
Strange, | never noticed what a prepos-
sessing girl Iona Ross was, before" he
thought. "She would certainly grace any
mans home. But she wouldn't be fool
enough to fall in love with me, and if she
did, she wouldn't crafty my self.love
enough to let me know it. However, be-
gin to like the girl"
A few evenings later our friends again
met at Aunt Mary's. Again Iona was i'm
portuned to sing aud play, this time Otho
Percivnls rich bass joining in with her
clear, sweet soprano. After the music
ceased he seemed so absorbed in Iona care
lessly Independent sayings that Miss Dun
ton brought q clipping of paper forward,
and begged leave to road. She read an
essay and poem, rendering them very well
indeed, but she had practised for hours on
them for this very occasion. Then she en-
tered into discussion of their merits with
Mr.. Percival.
In a lull of the conversation, and when
tho interest had somewhat tagged, Aunt
Mary said, "That reminds me of some ar
ticles l saved last spring. l will find them"
She returned at last with thom, Miss
Dunton inwardly expecting that she would
be the one to read them. But Aunt Mary
handed them to Iona, saying, 'Here, Iona,
give me your opinion On these
Iona commenced to read at once, in o
voice that faltered little, but gradually
grew strong, firm and full, completely
thrownipg Miss Dunton and her mplish-
ment in the shade, aud yet Mr.. Percival
knew that Miss Ross was not public read
er. She laid the paper dowr, trembling
visibly. She had won Miss Duntoa's S laurels,
and she knew it.
That lady and Mrs. Bridgewater soon
afser departed, bat Mr. Percival still re-
manned. Aunt Mary weut out and left the
two alone, Iona was still trembling, for
in trying to win Mr. PercivaVs heart sha
had lost her own forever. as she realized
now bitterly enough. OF course be would
never care for her. and she would 20 bacl,
to Kinaalo without doing what she came
here to de. He arose and wen, over to her
side, Faying, '1liss Ioua, would you crafty
my self-love enough 70 toll me- thar yon
cared fer ms il zen did2'
mo"